6 great buys for your bank holiday bucket list

With two May bank holidays on the horizon, and al fresco entertaining finally finding a place in our weekend roster of wining and grazing, it’s time to up your wine game.

By this, we’re talking an array of wildly different styles to single out for impromptu get-togethers (sometimes most fun); long lazy lunches calling for a summery rosé; or a first-rate red that fits the bill for solo sipping.

Thirsty for more? These top drops can multitask, pimp up a party and are special enough for your next soirée…

1. Pasqua ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Brut Prosecco DOC, Treviso, Italy, £11, Majestic

Boujee bubbles to love, this decorative label toasts the romantic legend – and Veronese courtyard which draws crowds to post messages on social media and ‘Romeo and Juliet’s’ wall. All more reason to raise a glass of this soft, fruity, refreshing fizz; and easy enough for a brunch-time Bellini… just add peach purée. Bellissima!

2. The Green Road Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Chile, £9.99, Waitrose

Is there a wine lover in the world who isn’t swayed by the grassy aromatics, vibrancy, tangy citrusy acidity, and coastal freshness of Chilean savvy blanc? Moreover, planet-friendly producer Miguel Torres packs a lot of punch into this keenly priced white; bottled at destination (in the UK, rather than Chile) to reduce its carbon footprint. A win for sustainable winemaking.

3. Co-op Irresistible Côtes de Provence Rosé 2023, South of France, £10.50, (member promo price, £9.50), Co-op, in-store

Passport to a Riviera lifestyle, this Provençal pink will charm the pants of anyone sitting on their sun trap of a terrace. Utterly delicious, delicate summer berry fruits are underpinned by a subtle spicy note; with a silky palate and long, fresh finish, it’s a must with seafood starters or salad niçoise.

4. Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Australia, £6.98, Asda

In the crowded aisle of Australian cab sav, this broad-shouldered red stands out for its superb aromas of cassis, blackcurrant and summer berries; packed with plums, brambly fruit, mulberry and faint herbal notes, it finishes rich and smooth. Budget friendly, this is your go-to, crowd pleasing red for sizzling, springtime BBQs.

5. Tenuta Fenice Nero D’Avola 2023, Sicily, Italy, £12.99, Laithwaites

A wonderful wine which makes everything sing, you can’t go wrong with this suave Sicilian. Think rich tomato sauces, pasta bakes, to blue cheeses and pizza – this fabulous, food-friendly red signals smiles all round. Aromas of sweet-spiced forest fruits pave the way for a sumptuous core of spiced-dark berries, cherries and plummy fruit, finishing velvety smooth. Glorious.

6. El Rayo Olarra Rioja Crianza 2021, Rioja, Spain, £14.99, Waitrose

Spain’s most famous wine region rewards us in many ways, and this captivating crianza showcases everything we love in an oak-aged red – even at this level… the wine spends at least two years in oak, versus a reserva (minimum 36 months). Extraordinarily delicious, it lives up to the showy label, with bold flavours of spiced blackberry fruits galore, savoury herbs, lick of vanilla and long-lasting finish. Wouza.